Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

A Far Eastern curlew with a long downward-curved bill wades through muddy coastal shallows

Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) curlew with a long downward-curved bill wades through muddy coastal shallows

Far Eastern Curlew: A Rare Visitor with a Remarkable Beak

The Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) is a globally threatened migratory bird with an impressively long bill. A rare but regular visitor to Japan’s coasts.


Shortlist

  • Largest shorebird with a downward-curving bill

  • Stops in Japan during migration between Siberia and Australia

  • Specialist feeder in mudflats and tidal zones

  • Highly vulnerable due to habitat loss

  • Calm, solitary behavior – hard to spot, easy to remember

  • Scientific Name: Numenius madagascariensis

  • Common Name: Far Eastern Curlew

  • German Name: Isabellbrachvogel

  • Length: approx. 60–66 cm

  • Weight: 900–1,300 g

  • Plumage: Sandy brown with dark streaks, pale underside

  • Bill: Exceptionally long, down-curved, pink-brown with dark tip

  • Diet: Worms, crabs, mollusks, insect larvae

  • Breeding Grounds: Eastern Siberia

  • Migration in Japan: March–May and August–October

  • Habitat: Coastal mudflats, estuaries, sandbanks

  • Migration Type: Long-distance migrant (Siberia to Australia)

  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)


Table of Contents


Introduction

You rarely see it — and if you do, it’s often just for a moment. The Far Eastern Curlew is one of the largest shorebirds on the planet, and among the most impressive long-distance migrants. With a migration path stretching from Siberia to Australia, it occasionally stops to rest on Japan’s coasts, especially during spring and autumn. Its long, down-curved bill makes it unmistakable — but its population is in decline.


Appearance

This is not a small bird by any measure. Measuring 60 to 66 cm and weighing up to 1.3 kg, the Far Eastern Curlew towers over most waders.

Key features:

  • Extremely long, curved bill — pinkish-brown with dark tip
  • Sandy brown plumage with fine dark streaks on back and chest
  • Underparts lighter, sometimes slightly speckled
  • Wings are plain brown with little contrast
  • Legs medium length, gray to bluish-gray
  • In flight: long wings, large silhouette, slow and elegant movement

It looks built for endurance — a bird designed to travel far, not fast.


Habitat

In Japan, the Far Eastern Curlew is a rare migrant and winter visitor, found mainly along quiet, untouched coastal areas.

Preferred stopover habitats:

  • Mudflats and tidal estuaries
  • Sandbanks, river mouths, salt marshes
  • Quiet shorelines with minimal human disturbance

These habitats offer both rest and food – essential for a bird on such a long journey.


Diet

The Far Eastern Curlew is a specialist feeder, adapted to extracting food from soft, muddy ground.

Typical prey:

  • Marine worms
  • Insect larvae
  • Small crustaceans
  • Mollusks

It probes slowly with its bill, often feeding alone or in small groups. While it may be near other shorebirds, its larger size and slow, focused behavior set it apart.


Breeding

This species does not breed in Japan. Instead, nesting occurs far to the north in the wet grasslands and tundra of eastern Siberia.

Breeding facts:

  • Season: Early summer
  • Nest: A shallow scrape on open, damp ground
  • Clutch size: 3–4 eggs
  • Chicks: Precocial, ready to move shortly after hatching

By late summer, adults and juveniles begin their epic migration south.


Migration

The Far Eastern Curlew is a classic long-distance migrant and relies on specific stopover sites throughout East Asia.

Route overview:

  • Breeds in: Eastern Siberia
  • Winters in: Australia, Papua New Guinea
  • Stops in Japan: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (August–October)

It follows the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, making Japan a critical link in its journey. Disturbance and habitat loss at these stopover points are major threats.


Population Status

The Far Eastern Curlew is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and population numbers are declining globally.

Key threats:

  • Loss of coastal wetlands (due to land reclamation)
  • Disturbance from tourism, industry, and shoreline development
  • Limited number of suitable resting sites during migration

In Japan, it is rare but regular, especially along key coastal wetlands. Its survival depends on protecting large, undisturbed feeding areas.


Species Overview – Far Eastern Curlew

Feature Description
Scientific Name Numenius madagascariensis
Common Name Far Eastern Curlew
German Name Isabellbrachvogel
Length 60–66 cm
Weight 900–1,300 g
Plumage Sandy brown with dark streaks, pale underparts
Bill Exceptionally long, downward-curved
Diet Worms, mollusks, crabs, insect larvae
Breeding Season Early summer (Siberia only)
Japan Migration Time March–May, August–October
Habitat Mudflats, estuaries, untouched coastal zones
Migration Pattern Long-distance (Siberia ↔ Australia)
Conservation Status Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

FAQ – Common Questions

1. Where can I see the Far Eastern Curlew in Japan?
Mainly in undisturbed coastal wetlands during migration seasons (March–May and August–October).

2. What makes this bird unique?
Its enormous downward-curved bill — longer than its head — and its large body size make it the largest curlew species in the world.

3. Why is the species threatened?
Habitat loss, especially along East Asia’s coasts, and human disturbance during migration are major factors.

4. Does it breed in Japan?
No. It breeds in eastern Siberia. Japan is only a migration stopover.

5. How can we protect it?
By preserving coastal mudflats and minimizing human disturbance at key feeding and resting sites along its migration path.


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Markus

🇩🇪 Wer schreibt hier:

Servus zusammen,

mein Name ist Markus und seit 2014 widme ich mich der Video- & Fotografie von Naturmotiven. Diese Leidenschaft begann während meiner zahlreichen Reisen durch Japan - von Hokkaido im Norden bis hinunter nach Okinawa im Süden. Diese Erfahrungen haben mich wieder stärker mit der Natur verbunden und auch die WildeNatur vor meiner eigenen Haustür entdecken lassen.

🇺🇸 Who is writing here:
Hello everyone,
My name is Markus, and I've been passionate about video and photography of nature scenes since 2014. This passion started during my many trips across Japan—from the northern reaches of Hokkaido all the way down to Okinawa in the south. These journeys have helped me reconnect with nature and also explore the wild beauty right outside my own front door.

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